The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-12-07

Z
she was just rounding symmetrically in
! the palms of her hands,
Good gracious, Fanny you have Civ
en- me turn. When did she die. and
how did you hear it ?'
She was dying when Mrs. Stebbins
left Barnville yesterday, and Mrs. Miller
says the funeral will he tomorrow"
And they never sent me word OF
message Well, that beatsl But then We
ought to make allowance for folks, when
there's death in the family, and 50
much grief and trouble, and such lot OF
things to attend TO. Besides, it mightut
be convenient to get horse and boy
to come fifteen miles 10 let us know ; so,
all the same, we'll go to the funeral.
Twouldn't look friendly, nor like kin,
not to do so. And YOU can go along with
US, Fanny. being Johns sister-in-law
They'd take it kindly of you
@And there's Mrs. Hill,n remarked
Fanny.
She's some sort of kin TO the Coles
ON the old mans side. Maybe she and
her daughter would like to go. as they've
got carryal of their own, I'll just run
around and let her know"
Mrs. John returned to her dumplings
with deep sigh.
at does seem heartless and unfeeling
To be making apple duinplings for din
ner, and ones husbands kin lying dead
in her coffin,n she remarked to her half
grown daughter Lucky, there's that
cake We masie for sundays meeting.
HI take it with me, for there'li be sight
of folks come from a distance to the fu-
neral, and some of 'em will have to stay
10 dinner. And you can get good bas-
ket of grapes out of the garden, Lizzie.
They are early, and won't come in
amiss."
Z" And We must have plenty of white
flowers, you know, ma" said Lizzie, in
lively excitement and anticipation and
I'll wear black sash with my white
iress. like Judge Martins daughters at
old Mrs. Martins funeral.v
We'll all wear our black dresses, said
Mrs. Cole. 1t looks more respectful
like and I'm told it's the fashion at fu-
ner;lls, even where there's no kin"
So the next morning, bright and early,
two vehicles were seen To leave the little
village, closely crowded with black-robed
figures, most of whom carried wreaths
and lunches of white flowers.
In this part of the country it was the
custom TO have all buryings at precisely
one o'clock, so the party had no fear of
being too late for the funeral.
Mr.. John Cole drove his owr wagon,
and Mrs. Hill hers, containing her
daughter and couple of neighbors who,
having slight acquaintance with the
Barnville Coles, considered it but friend
Iy and respectful to the fayiily to attend
the funer Il.
They went at at a brisk rate until they
approached Barnviile, whose principal
street they entered at a proper and be-
coming funeral pace.
1t does seem to me as if sort o shad-
der hangs over the place to-day Mrs.
Hill observed, as she looked from under
her spectaeles at the people passing.
= Poor old lady Her death will be felt,
for a better and kinder woman never
lived
Look there's the house, with the
plrlor window shet, and, declare, little
Jenny Cole carrying in cheers
And just see that pile of ivy rubbish
at the foot of the back stairs They've
been fixing up the parlor with garlings
on the walls" said another.
And yonder's the minister across at
the 'pothecaryis talkin' to Jeems Cole
himself' exclaimed Mrs. Cole. And
ne in mis- everyday clothes, and looking
not bit downe.lst. Well, | suppose he
hasn't had time to dress
They alighted a, the front door where
they were met by Master Johnny, who.
suddenly boiling out, nearly knocked
down stout Mrs Hill before she was
aware.
Well, Johnny, how are you? p said
Mrs. John, in a tone of comniiseration.
And how is your ma, Johnny ?"
She's very well, thank yer, ma am,
said the boy, With parrot-hke politeness,
while staring at the visitors With a beam
ing countenanee.
Well, Johnny, show ms the way, and
20 and let your folks know that We are
here. He don't seem to care a bit," she
added, ;is the boy skipped off but
then children never realizes the awful
Ness of death, 1t seems to me, looking
around ON her own eager-eyed Off
spring
They walked solemnly into the parior,
the door OF which Johnny had proudly
thrown open, and seating themselves IN
a black row against the wall, rIgIdly
awaited the appearance OF one OF the
family.
It's mighty strange that the coffin
isn't in here" whispered Miss Bates.
And such "a show OF bright, gay flowers,
too !"
smell cikep' said Mrs. Hill.
just then Johnny's voice was heard
calling at the head of the kitchen
stairs
Bess, say, Bess Here's lot of
folks come 10 the circus"
Gracious goodness said Mrs Cole.
= On, did you eyer2' said Mrs. Hill, in
stage whisper.
The two young Coles suppressed
giggle.
Presently Tommy came skipping
back.
| told 'em IN gran ma comm now"
he briefly announced.
A little stir, as the ladies settled them
selves in their seats primly.
: Be quiet, now they're bringing in
the eoltin," said Mrs Cole to her daugh-
ter.
The door opened and there entered u
y portly. pleasant-faced old lady, who
sn,IiingIy held out her hand to the
visitors.